LEGO Pikachu is a satisfying and engaging build, but the finished set feels stiff and awkward, making it difficult to pose the most famous Pokémon.
While 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball makes for a dynamic display piece, it’s not quite as versatile as it first appears. A lot of very welcome effort has gone into allowing some display customisation, but the brick-built character is so top-heavy and stiff that it makes removing Pikachu from its display rod tricky at best, rendering a lot of display options moot.
72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball
Release: Feb 27, 2026
Retiring: Dec 31, 2027
Price: £179.99 / $199.99 / €199.99
Pieces: 2,050
Minifigures: 0
Buy now at LEGO.com
72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball is a large, detailed set that looks best when displayed on its stand. While it’s possible to remove Pikachu and the Poké Ball from the display base, design shortcomings become apparent quickly whenever one attempts to stand Pikachu up on its hind legs.
This is a large Pikachu, and to the set’s credit, most of the elements in the box go into the Pikachu build. This is something that can’t be said of
Right from the first bag, this set is focused on Pikachu, and as it takes form, it’s impressive to see the character grow and grow with each new element. This is a hefty, large Pokémon build, and that’s probably its greatest strength. The included base feels perfect – big and sturdy enough to support Pikachu in its jumping orientation, but not so big and detailed as to be distracting, as is the case with
Unfortunately, while that large size is appreciated, it doesn’t feel like Pikachu’s weight is particularly well distributed. The set is incredibly top-heavy, and when removing Pikachu from its sturdy display stand – as many official photos show – it’s hard to get the character to stand upright.
The instructions relay a somewhat convoluted and inelegant guide to standing Pikachu up. It involves moving an element in Pikachu’s tail, then taking a chunk of Technic pieces out of the bottom of the display base, folding it over, and inserting it into the hole between Pikachu’s legs that is used for the display rod. Only then will Pikachu remain upright without toppling over when stood up.
The fact that this convoluted process is the official method for standing up a brick-built character can only be interpreted as evidence that this design is compromised – regardless of all other factors, if a brick-built LEGO character cannot stand up without additional assistance, it feels like the set wasn’t ready for release.
As it is, even when Pikachu is stood up using the included support, the character leaves something to be desired. Not only is it still disconcertingly wobbly, it’s also lacking in articulation. Pikachu’s neck cannot be moved or turned or adjusted, so when stood up, the Pokémon is perpetually stuck staring at the sky.
This way of displaying the model doesn’t look ideal in a lot of circumstances. It may suit some shelves, but if Pikachu is viewed at eye level, a lot of the details on the character’s face cannot be seen. Compared with other brick-built characters of a similar size, Pikachu feels awkwardly stiff and unwieldy.
This is not to say that the set doesn’t have its merits. When displayed on its base, Pikachu looks fantastic – this is definitely the best way to position the build. The included Poké Ball feels satisfying in the hand (even if the Pikachu from the Pokémon anime famously refuses to spend any time in his Poké Ball) and there are some nice extra elements in the box that allow for some customisation.
An included element allows builders to close the Poké Ball so that it doesn’t have to be displayed mid-way through ejecting its resident, while there are pieces included to allow the builder to choose whether the Pikachu is male or female (this is decided by the shape of its tail and nothing else).
These little additions are nice, and go some way to showing the care that’s gone into the design of the set, but a little more flexibility and articulation in the brick-built character would have been preferable. It feels odd that this set is so poorly suited to being touched, moved, or even played with, given that the LEGO Group has not, at the time of writing, announced any LEGO Pokémon sets for an audience under the age of 18.
This is a decent set, there’s a lot to like here, and anyone who buys this will get what is promised on the box: a big brick-built Pikachu that is well worth putting on display.
It’s just worth bearing in mind that 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball has its flaws and limitations, and in some cases these distract significantly from the enjoyment of the final build. If you’re okay with a wobbly top-heavy LEGO Pikachu that really isn’t for play, this set will do you well. If, on the other hand, you’re not completely sold on this particular brick-built Pikachu, there are already other options on the market at a far cheaper price.
Our honest opinion: 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball is a large build that's satisfying to construct, but stability issues mean that it’s really only good for one display orientation.
This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.
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Is LEGO 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball rare or limited edition?
While stock levels may fluctuate around peak times (such as at launch or during special promotional periods), it is expected that the LEGO Group will make 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball as widely available as possible until at least December 2027. This set is not limited edition, nor is it likely to sell out permanently during the set’s natural lifespan.
How long does it take to build LEGO 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball?
72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball takes around four hours to build. Pikachu is built first, followed by the Poké Ball and finally the base.
How big is LEGO Pokémon 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball?
Including the display stand, 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball measures 35cm tall, 26cm wide and 39cm deep. It contains 2,050 pieces, which feels fitting, as Pikachu’s number in the Pokédex is 25.
How much does LEGO Pokémon 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball cost?
72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball costs £179.99 in the UK, $199.99 in the US and €199.99 in parts of the EU.
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